Ch.17Tower War (2)

# [PLEASE STOP MESSING WITH THE BLACK TOWER!!!]

(Image full of slanderous memes about the Black Tower.jpg)

I’m not even doing anything, so why do you keep messing with us?!

Comments:

– Because that’s what the Black Tower is…

– Those filthy shadow mages…

ㄴ Oh fuck, seriously!!

– That’s just what those demon bastards do

– Who was trying to conquer the world? lol

ㄴ Are you seriously bringing up something from a thousand years ago? Damn

ㄴㄴ Honestly, if it weren’t for the Hero, we would’ve been screwed lol

“Hehehe… Hmm?”

While snickering as I read the forum, I suddenly noticed the time displayed next to my MagicPad and my eyes widened.

Hmm, it’s already this late?

Ever since I became like this, the concept of day and night has disappeared.

Especially my sense of time has become dull…

Time flies when I’m browsing forums.

I sighed and got up from the bed, scratching my messy hair.

“Yaaawn…”

After stretching my arms lightly, I hopped off the bed.

“A vampire waking up in the morning and stretching… how ridiculous…”

I chuckled as I walked toward the mirror.

Hmm.

“…I’m reminded again how short this body is…”

Every time I look in the full-length mirror, I feel how short my body is.

I used to be a tall alpha male over 180cm, but somehow I’ve become this little runt…

In terms of appearance, I’m aesthetically more beautiful than before, but I can’t help feeling disappointed.

If only my appearance had improved without the height issue, I could’ve been seducing all sorts of women, which is truly regrettable.

“Hmm… would exercise make me taller?”

I wonder if exercise would actually help.

I tried to stretch both arms upward, but feeling embarrassed, I quickly glanced around and lowered them.

Hmm, this doesn’t seem right.

‘What a shame, what a shame…’

I clicked my tongue in disappointment.

If I were at least tall with good proportions, it would have been worth looking at, but with this tiny body…

Still, being cute is nice.

It’s a cuteness that never gets old.

I turned away from the mirror and walked to the window, gazing outside and falling into contemplation.

‘It’s already been a month.’

It’s been almost a month since I became the Magic Tower Master.

During that time, people’s perception of me has rapidly deteriorated.

Well, I can’t blame them.

When all I do is look at my MagicPad all day, it would be stranger if they didn’t notice.

One might ask why I didn’t do anything if I knew about it.

It might sound ridiculous, but there was a good reason why I haven’t moved for a month.

Of course, part of it was because I couldn’t stand seeing those who fanatically worshipped me and caused trouble as if they’d forgotten their previous circumstances.

But truly, there was a legitimate reason for my behavior.

‘It’s hard to make a good impression by pushing forward in this situation.’

It’s the same in real life, isn’t it?

What happens when someone who’s generally avoided and poorly evaluated suddenly shows capability?

What if their nasty personality remains the same but they just gain ability?

You probably understand what I’m getting at.

If I had stepped up when the Black Tower’s infamy was at its peak, either only my reputation would improve, or I might get dragged down with the Black Tower’s already terrible reputation.

It would be fortunate if only my reputation improved, but what if my reputation also plummeted like a drowning ghost pulling others down?

I didn’t just want to change the social perception that Blood Magic is useless; I wanted to elevate the status of the Blood Tower in every aspect.

And to do that, I first needed to show our Blood Tower friends the reality.

This past month has been a time for that warning.

‘It’s absolutely not because browsing forums is fun.’

No, definitely not.

It’s absolutely not because I was upset at those who wanted me to suck their blood… or use their blood however I wanted…

That’s just the tip of the iceberg. This is definitely not about getting back at those who wrote all sorts of sexual harassment posts that I can’t even repeat.

I’m broad-minded.

I can forgive such children anytime.

In fact, abandoning my duties for a month after becoming the Magic Tower Master has shown very good results.

Since recognizing that I’m an extraordinary Blood Mage, those who used to insult other Magic Towers while mentioning me or post weird nonsense and cause trouble have been completely eradicated.

This is why you should respond to malicious troublemakers with indifference.

It was also good to see that after half the Blood Tower users nearly died, they cut off their attention and continued their endless debates among themselves.

At this rate, I’ll be able to raise the status of the Blood Tower according to plan.

That’s when it happened.

Thump… Thump…! Thump! Bang bang bang!

The sound of large footsteps running this way,

Followed by knocking on the door.

The troublemaker, no, the cute little miss who inevitably visits every day.

Click!

“Sister!!”

“You… I told you not to open the door and come in as you please.”

“I can’t take it anymore!”

What can’t you take now?

The young blonde girl with puffed cheeks staring at me, Irina, put her hands on her hips and pointed at me.

“I can’t just watch my sister become a shut-in!”

“No… who taught you that word…”

“I heard Razak saying it?”

“…”

Teaching strange words to a child.

I won’t forgive him when I get out of here.

I pressed my temple and sighed.

“I was planning to go out today even without you saying anything.”

“R-really?! Where?! Where!!”

Irina’s eyes lit up as she threw herself at me and asked.

Where, she asks.

“Aether Tower.”

I’m thinking of going to that tower that’s been sending me love calls.

Irina’s already large eyes grew even wider at my answer.

“R-really?!”

“Would I lie?”

“Finally, my sister is going to work!”

“When did I not work…”

…

I guess I didn’t.

“Fine, whatever. I’m going to the Aether Tower, so go back to your room and practice Blood Magic.”

“I want to go too!”

“What would you do there…”

I was planning to leave her behind because it would be troublesome to take her along,

But seeing Irina snuggling against me, looking up at me with teary eyes, my heart softened again.

‘Ugh…’

I shouldn’t be like this…

‘Well… it’s not like we’re going somewhere dangerous, it’s just the Aether Tower…’

Anyway, I’m meeting someone specific, so I can just tell her to entertain herself in the meantime.

With that thought, I sighed deeply and answered.

“Alright… let’s go together…”

“Yaaay! Sister is the best!”

Well… it should be fine.

* * *

“A-are you really going?!”

“Yes, is there a problem?”

“No, it’s just…”

Razak seemed somewhat moved.

What’s wrong with him?

“Sniff… finally… at last…”

“No… explain what you mean. What is it?”

“Nothing, really. It’s a bit awkward to tell the truth…”

“I won’t do anything to you, so just tell me.”

“…Really?”

“I already know everything. You’re frustrated because I haven’t done anything for a month.”

“…So you did know…”

How could I not?

I did it on purpose.

“Honestly, I thought the Magic Tower was doomed… The elders all received your grace, Midir, so they couldn’t say anything harsh, and everyone was busy praising you.”

“Hmm, I understand.”

They couldn’t criticize someone who cured their baldness.

I’d feel uncomfortable saying anything too if I were them.

I nodded.

“Well, anyway… I’m thinking of going to the Aether Tower… could you make preparations?”

“Yes, ah, um…”

“Hmm?”

“Well…”

What’s wrong with him?

The guy who was so happy just a moment ago was now hesitating at my request to send me to the Aether Tower, which made me feel uneasy.

No way.

“Don’t you have a Teleport Station? That can’t be.”

“We do have one, but…”

“But what?”

“To be precise, it’s broken… and we don’t have money to repair it…”

“Hmm…”

This is ridiculous.

Just how broke is the Magic Tower?

I crossed my arms and pondered.

Ah, that’s right.

“What about an airship?”

“The magic stones for the airship…”

“Is there nothing that works?!”

“Yes… The Magic Tower has been facing bankruptcy for the past month… So starting with the least necessary things like the Teleport Station and airship magic stones… yes…”

No way.

No wonder there were posts saying the Blood Tower was completely ruined. So that’s why.

I think I was too indifferent.

“I guess there’s no choice…”

I’ll have to make money first.

But before that, I need to visit the Aether Tower…

“I’ll go myself.”

“What?! B-but it takes a full day by airship to reach the Aether Tower!”

“Don’t worry.”

I’m faster than an airship anyway.

I smiled, showing my teeth.

“I’ll be back.”

Now, let’s go.

To the Aether Tower.

I started walking toward the elevator with Irina, who was nodding and smiling, when I suddenly stopped in my tracks.

Oh right, I don’t know the way.

“…Give me a map.”

“…Yes.”

You’re dead if you laugh.